Rutgers improves to 5-0 in Big East with 10-3 victory over Cincinnati

CINCINNATI — Logan Ryan was torn between trying to keep some perspective while also savoring the moment in the immediate aftermath of the prettiest ugly victory Rutgers has recorded in some time.

What does it mean, the junior cornerback was asked, for the Scarlet Knights to be 5-0 in Big East play for the first time in school history and in firm control of their postseason destiny with two games remaining?

“You know what? It means the world to be where we are right now,” Ryan said. “But it doesn’t mean much if we don’t win next week and then the week after that.”

Actually, what the No. 22 Scarlet Knights did in taking a 10-3 defensive slugfest over Cincinnati today at Nippert Stadium was set up scenarios over the final two games that could earn Rutgers (9-1 overall) its first Big East title and the league’s accompanying BCS berth.

Scenario one: If Rutgers wins at Pittsburgh on Saturday and Louisville loses at home to Connecticut that day, the Scarlet Knights are Big East champions regardless of what happens in the regular-season finale against the Cardinals.

Scenario two: Regardless of what Rutgers does Saturday at Pitt, if Louisville wins, the Rutgers-Louisville game will decide the Big East title.

“It’s great to be in this position. Just being 5-0 in the Big East is something that’s never been done here,” said linebacker Steve Beauharnais. “But it’s not done. Nothing matters if we don’t finish. I think everyone understands that.”

With star running back Jawan Jamison limited to four carries because of a sprained right ankle, sophomore Savon Huggins finally flashed the form that made him the state’s No. 1 prospect as a high school senior.

Huggins rushed for a career-high 179 yards in his first college start, tying a school record with 41 carries, and the Knights never had to change their formula for success to this point.

Grind out first downs on the ground, get just enough help from quarterback Gary Nova and sit back and watch the defense dominate.

“This game is the way Rutgers plays football — we run the ball and we stop the run,” said right tackle R.J. Dill. “We’re not flashy on offense. We’re not a sexy offense. But with what we do and with how good our defense, is we keep getting it done.”

Nova, guilty of two red zone interceptions, made amends with a 71-yard second-quarter pass to Mark Harrison for the game’s only touchdown and Huggins and the defense did the rest, with the Bearcats (7-3 overall, 3-2 Big East) avoiding their first shutout since 2005 on a field goal with 11 seconds to play.

Cincinnati had been the Big East’s top scoring (34.2) and rushing (226.8 yards per game) team coming in. The Bearcats rushed for just 90 yards on 28 carries and were stuffed on a key fourth-and-inches on their first possession of the second half at the Rutgers’ 7-yard line when linebacker Khaseem Greene dropped George Winn for a 1-yard loss.

Meanwhile, Rutgers rushed for a season-high 234 yards against the nation’s No. 26-ranked rushing defense and didn’t allow a sack. That was with Taj Alexander filling in at right guard for the injured Andre Civil.

“That’s probably the best job of blocking the offensive line did all year,” Nova said.